Mere miles off Newfoundland lies a tiny French archipelago, the legacy of the once-vast North American empire. Breton, Norman and Basque fishermen settled on a great natural harbor, and their descendants still live here today. The narrow, winding streets of Saint-Pierre are a delight of boulangeries, lively bars, wine shops, restaurants serving classic Gallic and locally-sourced fare, and boutiques that close at noon for a leisurely lunch. Discover local history, including the bootlegging heyday, at the Heritage Museum and the Arche Museum and Archives.

“Islands brushed by waves” is the wonderfully poetic name the Micmac Indians gave this small archipelago in the center of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. But it fails to capture the striking palette of the seascapes: white sandy beaches, pale dunes, ochre-red sea cliffs and deep blue sea. Most Madelinots live on the six largest islands linked by Route 199, which stretches 53 miles over rolling green hills dotted with cheerfully painted houses. At the southernmost end, historic La Grave is a hub of cafes, restaurants, shops, galleries, small museums and an aquarium.

Tucked deep inside an inlet on Newfoundland’s mountainous west coast, the working mill town of Corner Brook is the gateway to Gros Morne National Park. The park’s rare features – mantle rock and ancient oceanic crust – are a window onto continental movement 1.2 billion years ago, key factors in its World Heritage designation. Glaciers carved out the spectacular fjords, deep valleys, lakes and beaches. Coastal and forested trails invite exploration, while intrepid hikers can climb the 2,644-foot-tall Gros Morne.